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What would really make coming in beneficial for them? If the answer is ‘nothing,’ then leadership may need to rethink why they’re pushing it so hard.
I’ve found that emphasizing the why behind RTO and focusing on team bonding or collaborative opportunities in person helps. Maybe add more flexibility, like core in-office days, so people feel it’s not a one-size-fits-all. The goal is to create value, not just enforce rules.
The biggest issue I’m having is 100% siding with the people not seeing the point in RTO, because for us, it really is not there. But also not being able to have any weight in the decision. I’m at a bit of a crossroads wanting to talk down about it, but ultimately I have to enforce it too. Not a great spot to be in and I’m at a loss how to handle it.
"Im really sorry, team. I wish we could have more WFH days too, but unfortunately, that's not what has been decided. Careers here can be out at risk if this mandate isn't followed. Despite all of this, let's try to reframe our thinking and see some of the benefits of coming into the office. <Insert examples specific to your office space, team collaboration, etc.>. I know this might not be ideal for you; I hear you, but unfortunately, the policy is out of my hands."
People respect transparency
This 👆I was going to make a similar comment about making sure you’re honest in an authentic way. They will appreciate you more and also understand you’re stuck between a rock and a hard place.
For the days in office make it only things you can do in person and things that are inherently social. Brainstorms, 1:1, performance reviews, workshops, bring in a guest speaker, take them out for team lunch/dinners, beer Fridays…
If they’re just as productive from home why insist on having them return to work??
Corporate Control.
Until the RTO gives folks a 30 -50% pay bump and it doesn’t impact the end of year bonus/increase - it just isn’t feasible for folks to swallow. (I made it higher because inflation from pre-COVID to today is somewhere around 28%).
What really sucks is that there are groups of people who were remote pre-COVID that had no problem before. And now they have to go in as well. No cool.